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RSC Energia: The launch vehicle with Progress MS-04 logistics vehicle is installed on the launch pad

November 29, 2016

Medium capacity launch vehicle Soyuz-U with new-series logistics vehicle Progress МS-04 was carried out from the integration and checkout facility and erected at the launch pad of Launch Site No.1 (Gagarin’s launch pad) of Baikonur cosmodrome.

Specialists from RSC Energia and other ROSCOSMOS enterprises involved in the prelaunch processing are performing final processing operations at the launch site. Prelaunch tests of the rocket and space complex systems and assemblies are being conducted, the onboard systems and ground equipment interfaces are being checked, and telemetry is being analyzed.

The launch of Progress MS-04 under the International Space Station (ISS) program is scheduled on December 1, 2016 at 17:51:52 Moscow time.

The vehicle will deliver to the ISS about 2.5 tons of various cargo, including ”dry” cargo, propellant in the combined propulsion system and refueling system tanks, water and compressed gases. Scientific equipment and components for the life support system, as well as containers with food, clothing, medical supplies and personal hygiene items for the crewmembers are stowed in the cargo compartment.

The new-series transportation spacecraft Progress MS and Soyuz MS designed and built by RSC Energia were developed as a result of a radical upgrade of Progress M and Soyuz TMA spacecraft. The onboard command radio system Kvant-B was replaced with an integrated command and telemetry system with an additional telemetry channel. The new command radio link will make it possible to receive signals via relay satellites Luch-5, which will significantly increase the radio coverage zone for the spacecraft – up to 70% of an orbit. The spacecraft are equipped with an advanced onboard radio system for rendezvous and docking Kurs-NA. Instead of the analog TV system Klyost, the spacecraft will use a digital TV system. The onboard equipment of the Soyuz MS and Progress MS series spacecraft includes a new Digital Backup Loop Control Unit developed by RSC Energia, an upgraded Rate Sensor Unit BDUS-3A and a LED headlight SFOK. Thanks to the use of new ground and onboard radio systems, it became possible to use state-of-the-art data transmission protocols, which resulted in improved operational stability of spacecraft control system.

RSC Energia: the leader in the rocket and space industry, and the prime contractor for manned space systems. The Corporation conducts work on the development of unmanned space and rocket systems (launch vehicles and orbital transfer vehicles), and high-technology systems for various non-space applications. Since August 2014, the Corporation is headed by Vladimir Lvovich Solntsev.

SC ROSCOSMOS is a State Corporation that was established in August 2015 to implement a comprehensive reform of the Russian space industry. State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS ensures the implementation of the Russian government’s space program and its legal regulation. ROSCOSMOS is also placing orders for the development, manufacture and supply of space equipment and space infrastructure objects. The state corporation is also responsible for international space cooperation and arranging conditions for the future use of results of space activities in the social and economic development of Russia.